This Friday, September 3, we’re pairing up with The Hop Ice Cream for more BEER FLOATS!

This week’s event is a benefit for our charity, FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway. FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a non-profit, volunteer organization that is dedicated to preserving and protecting the Blue Ridge Parkway, a national treasure. FRIENDS programs focus on preservation, protection and education. The monies we raise go directly to the Asheville Chapter, which is one of the most traveled (yet least funded) portions of the 469-mile scenic roadway.

$5.00/pp for three different beer floats!

• Antebellum Ale Ice Cream with Craggie Brewing Antebellum Ale
• Aztec Chocolate Ice Cream (with cinnamon & cayenne pepper) with Young’s Double Chocolate Stout
• Southern Comfort Ice Cream with Weyerbacher Insanity Bourbon Barrel-aged Barleywine

If you can’t join us, please consider an online donation to FRIENDS.

From Farmville, NC, The Duck-Rabbit Brewery bill themselves as the “dark beer specialists.” Come meet Mary Eliza in the tasting room from 5-7pm tomorrow for a sampling of the following:

Brown Ale: “An American brown ale brewed with loads of hops from start to finish. (It’s hoppy and beautifully bitter.) Amarillo hops in the boil provide a spicy, citrusy bitterness. Saaz dry hops in the fermentor provide a refined flowery aroma. These hops are supported by a grain bill of seven varieties of malt. Oh yeah!”

Milk Stout: “A traditional full-bodied stout brewed with lactose (milk sugar). The subtle sweetness imparted by the lactose balances the sharpness of the highly roasted grains which give this delicious beer its black color.”

Porter: “This robust porter features a pronounced flavor of roasted grains reminiscent of dark chocolate. Also, Paul and Brandon add oats to the grist to give a subtle round silkiness to the mouthfeel. We’re confident that you’re really going to love this yummy porter!”

Schwarzbier (Seasonal): “This is a refreshing summer beer (sometimes referred to as a black pils). In Duck-Rabbit fashion, we’ve made ours extra schwarzy. It’s very dark and quite roasty. Lot’s of Hallertau hops give this an authentic German character.”

We’re so excited about this event, it’s a miracle that my mouth stayed shut about it. We have been wanting to do a blind tasting for ages now and it’s finally happening. Better yet, it’s just the first one. Check out the details below and we’ll see you there!

Pack’s Tavern & Bruisin’ Ales presents the inaugural Blind Eye Beer Battle

ASHEVILLE, NC—Pack’s Tavern and Bruisin’ Ales are hosting the inaugural Blind Eye Beer Battle series on Thursday, August 26, 6:00-9:00 p.m. The event will be held in the Century Room upstairs at Pack’s Tavern. This is the first in a series of educational and entertaining blind beer tastings that will be co-hosted throughout the year.

Bruisin’ Ales proprietors, Jason and Julie Atallah, will select the beers from local, regional and national favorites. Teams  of eight will be given score cards and blindly sample, taste and judge two flights of beer styles—Porters and India Pales Ales. Three ounce samples of eight beers of each style—that’s 16 beers total, eight porters, eight IPA’s—will be provided along with culinary delights to compliment the beers (and cleanse the palate) by Pack’s Tavern Executive Chef Edwin French.

Each team of eight community judges will discuss and rate the beers provided with a team captain tallying results as we go. In addition to judging on appearance, taste, and aroma, judges will also have to guess which beer they are sampling.

The overall favorite beer, based on total scores, will become Pack’s Tavern Beer of the Month pint special. As an added bonus, individual judges also have a chance at winning. The top three people who correctly guess the most beer brands blindly, will be awarded prizes from the hosts, including gift certificates and breweriana.

Only seven teams of eight will be allowed to participate for a total of 56 community judges. Cost per person is $30.

Pack’s Tavern is located at 20 South Spruce Street in downtown Asheville. Make reservations with credit card by calling Pack’s Tavern at (828) 225-6944.

Follow Pack’s Tavern on Twitter at @packstavern and Bruisin’ Ales at @bruisinales for information leading up to the event.

We’re into our second week of welcoming Sprecher Brewing Company from Milwaukee at the humble storefront and the brand is killing it. Many people are either from the area and happy to see it in their new locale; others know the reputation of one of America’s oldest craft breweries and couldn’t wait to try it again. So, for those of you that haven’t yet tried Sprecher beers, we’re having another special Friday Tasting this week, 5:00-7:00pm. Join us in the tasting room with the folks from Next Generation Beer Company—the newest distributor in Asheville.

What we’re sampling:

Black Bavarian: “This intensely dark Kulmbacher style lager has a superb malt complexity with the distinctive flavors and aromas of coffee, caramel and chocolate.” [Schwartzbier | 5.78% abv]

Abbey Tripel: “A Belgian Trappist triple yeast culture balanced with the finest imported pale barley, Belgian aromatic malt and oats, gives this golden ale a fruity bouquet and a light refined taste.” [Belgian-style Tripel | 8.41% abv]

IPA2: “This traditional ale was originally brewed in England for the British troops stationed in India. Double dry-hopped,it has intense hop flavors and aromas delicately balanced with a potent, yet delicious, malty sweetness.” [Imperial IPA | 7.5% abv]

Russian Imperial Stout: “Once brewed in Britain for the Russian Czars, this tremendously rich and thick ale uses a profusion of burnt and caramel malts. A massive mouthful of dark roasted malt and coffee flavors finishes with hints of chocolate, caramel & licorice.” [Russian Imperial Stout | 8.5% abv]

Don’t forget to pick up one of the Special Releases as well. We have both the Scotch Ale and the Bourbon barrel-aged Doppelbock.

Next Friday, July 16, drop by between 5-7 p.m. before Downtown After Five for a Teaser Tasting of Durham-based Fullsteam Brewery. Fullsteam is North Carolina’s newest brewery, having launched July 2010. Fullsteam is a “plow-to-pint” brewery with a mission: to create a distinctly Southern beer style that celebrates the culinary and agricultural heritage of the South. By brewing with local farmed goods, heirloom grains, and seasonal botanicals, Fullsteam Brewery is on a never-ended quest to explore what “Southern-style beer” means. We don’t pretend to have the answers—we just love the quest.

Fullsteam believes in:

• Southern farmers. We buy and brew local…not only to craft distinctly Southern beer, but ultimately to provide a higher quality of life for our neighbors and friends who farm for a living.
• Regional pride. Local identity trumps mass-marketed nationalism.
• Redemption. The image of beer can be redeemed in the beautiful South.
• Fun. Lofty as our goals may be, at the end of the day…it’s beer. The beverage of celebration and community.

Also, meet Sean Lilly Wilson, Fullsteam’s Chief Executive Optimist. He founded and led both Pop The Cap and Permit Beer, two beer lobbying organizations that have opened up economic markets to North Carolina’s craft beer industry. He holds both an MBA and Master of Public Policy from Duke University. Sean has ten years restaurant experience, including three years at Durham’s renowned Magnolia Grill. (He may also be a little crazy, and for the record, we like him tons.)

What we’re sampling…

Carver Sweet Potato Beer: Local North Carolina sweet potatoes account for nearly one-third of the total fermentables in this surprisingly refreshing amber ale. This is NOT your grandma’s sweet potato casserole — there are no pie spices in this beer! The goal is to let the natural flavor of the sweet potato to come through, not to hit you over the head with cloying pie spices. The grain bill is light, with a modest floral and citrus-hop profile. Perfect with grilled chicken, veg plates, and hearty dishes. [5.8% ABV]

Rocket Science IPA: A more modest IPA than some of the more “West Coast” versions now out there. Though the hop profile is subdued, Rocket Science remains an American- and not an English-style IPA. We know Asheville loves its hops… this is for you, Beer City USA! [6.5% ABV]

Summer Basil Farmhouse Ale: The very first batch of beer we brewed on our 15-barrel brewhouse. It’s a rustic farmhouse beer finished with a healthy dose of Coon Rock Farm basil. Like the sweet potato beer, don’t anticipate being hit over the head with basil (though we will have some basil bunches to do that if you’d like). Instead, expect a balanced, refreshing country ale with just a touch of fresh basil on the finish. Try it with panzanella, local cheeses, or just quafff it in a mason jar on the front porch. [5.5% ABV]

Look for Fullsteam to launch in the Asheville area later this year. We’re just giving you a taste! Follow them on Twitter at @fullsteam.

We’re pleased to announce the addition of another regional brewery this week with Spartanburg, South Carolina’s RJ Rockers Brewery. Drop by any time between 5-7 pm, meet the folks from the brewery and get some samples!

SON OF A PEACH [Wheat beer | 6.0% abv]
An unfiltered American wheat ale made with real mean peaches. The only thing missing is the fuzz. Savor the anger. Available during the late Spring and Summer months.

BELL RINGER ALE [American Strong Ale | 8.5% abv]
Our high gravity offering weighs in at 8.5% abv and is delightfully loaded with malt and hops. This is an ale worthy of your sturdiest goblet or most treasured stein. Ring it!

BLACK PERLE [Black IPA | 9.5% abv]
The first release in the “Ales from the Dark Side” series…A dark, roasted twist on the traditional IPA that uses an absurd amount of malt and is “octo-hopped” with the German Perle hop. The biggest beer in the RJ Rockers linup to date.
9.5% abv

This week we’re doing a vertical tasting of Avery Brewing Co. & Russian River’s Collaboration Not Litigation Ale: Batch #2, Batch #3, and Batch #4. This is a great opportunity for those to experience how a beer ages and changes with time. $3 for (3) 4 oz. samples. If you purchase one of the batches, you can apply your $3 tasting fee to your purchase!

Collaboration Not Litigation background (96 RateBeer rating):

Salvation… the name of two intricate Belgian-style ales, created by us Vinnie Cilurzo of Russian River Brewing and Adam Avery of Avery Brewing. After becoming friends a few years ago, we realized that we both had a Salvation in our line-ups. Was it going to be a problem? Should one of us relinquish the rights? “Hell no!” we said. In fact, it was quickly decided that we should blend the brews to catch the best qualities of each and create an even more complex libation. In April 2004, in top-secret meeting at Russian River Brewing (well actually it was packed in the pub, and many were looking over our shoulders wondering what the hell was going on), we came up with the perfect blend of the two Salvations. Natalie, Vinnie’s much more significant other, exclaimed, “We should call this Collaboration, not Litigation Ale!” “Perfect!” we shouted. We celebrated deep into the night, (or is it morning?).

Fast forward to November 14, 2006. After talking about it for over 2 years we finally decided to pull the trigger and Vinnie flew out to Avery to brew his Salvation exactly as he does in his brewery. This was blended with Avery’s Salvation December 11th, 2006. We hope you enjoy it as much we enjoyed brewing and blending it.

All profits from this joint venture will fund a return educational trip to Belgium with our bros Tomme (Port Brewing), Sam (Dogfish Head Brewing) and Rob (Allagash Brewing). This pilgrimage will enable us to learn even more about traditional brewing techniques to combine with our already strange and unique styles here in America.

We haven’t done a Belgian tasting in awhile, so tomorrow we’ll be sampling Belgium’s Brasserie Caracole.

Troublette “is an artisanal Wallonian white ale. Lightly spiced wheat beer of great complexity, starts off with aroma of mangoes, apples, citric fruit, wheat, yeast and finishes with slight sourness.” [5.0% abv]

Saxo “is a very complex artisanal Wallonian blond ale with an unusual hoppiness, bitterness and a touch of spice. Bizzare grainy punch of taste preceding hops and waves of flavors whizzing over the tongue.” [8.0% abv]

Caracole “is a quite complex artisanal Wallonian ale with amber/orange color, and thick white rocky head with a good lace. Suggestions of a floral wheatiness in the mouth with spicy, sweet aromas gives a refreshing cool feel. Chalky yeast bitterness rounds it off in the finish.” [8.0% abv]

Nostadamus “is a very complex artisanal Wallonian brown ale, rich, warming, little piquant in the mouth with liquorice, mocha flavors, pear and toasted bread background notes, perfect after-dinner drink or night cap.” [9.5% abv]

[We'll be sampling the new Moog Filtered Ale on Tuesday, June 1 5-7 p.m. Drop by for a taste!]

Asheville Brewing Company and the Bob Moog Foundation are proud to announce the launch of the limited edition Moog Filtered Ale, a pale beer named in honor of synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog. The Ale will be available beginning May 27, 2010 at the Foundation’s fundraising event, Moogus Operandi, featuring synthesizer wizard Erik Norlander. All profits from the sale of the beer will be donated to the Bob Moog Foundation to benefit their projects. The timing of the launch of the beer coincides with the inventor’s May 23 birthday.

Moog Filtered Ale will be be distributed nationally and internationally in 22-ounce bottles through Asheville’s Bruisin’ Ales and will be available on tap in various locations throughout Western North Carolina. The beer will be sold from May 27 through July 31, after which it will no longer be available.

“Moog Filtered Ale is an American-style pale ale with distinctive notes of caramel and pine. It’s a very accessible beer that reflects the Moog legacy. I’ve been a fan of Bob Moog since college, and I am excited to present a beer in honor of an American pioneer,” says Doug Riley, brewer and part owner of the Asheville Brewing Company.

Asheville Brewing has been making outstanding craft beers since 1998 and has won several awards for its beers. As an active supporter of local non-profit groups they are thrilled to be working with the Bob Moog Foundation, whose work is innovative and historical. Through Moog Filtered Ale, Asheville Brewing aims to support the interactive educational programs that the Foundation is developing to teach science through music as well as the eventual creation of a Moogseum.
Asheville Brewing Company President Mike Rangel says, “We are thrilled to be working with the Bob Moog Foundation to help keep Bob’s vision and legacy alive. By donating the profits from Moog Filtered Ale, we will be supporting innovative science education through the Foundation’s MoogLab outreach project. We are proud to be joining some of the larger beer companies in supporting important educational work in our community. Moog Filtered Ale is absolutely the most exciting project our company has been involved in.”
Michelle Moog-Koussa, Executive Director of the Bob Moog Foundation, comments, “Creating Moog Filtered Ale with the Asheville Brewing Company has been a rewarding project. We are very grateful to Mike Rangel and Doug Riley for their support of our innovative projects, which will benefit Western North Carolina and beyond. The unique partnership between the Asheville Brewing Company and the Bob Moog Foundation marks a true match of venture philanthropy and creative fundraising in a economically precarious environment. The proceeds from this project will assist us in continuing our important work.”

The label for the Ale was designed by Asheville artist Phil Cheney. The label, an original graphic in vibrant shades of purple, green, and orange, shows Bob Moog leaning over a keyboard with musical notes, synthesizer knobs, and patch cables floating from his head. The number “76” graces the upper right-hand corner of the label, commemorating Bob Moog’s 76th birthday which falls on May 23.

Beginning June 1, Moog Filtered Ale will be available for international retail distribution in bottles exclusively through Bruisin’ Ales. It will be available on tap throughout western North Carolina.

Jason Ingram of Left Hand Brewing Co. joins us for a sampling of Colorado beers! Won’t you join us?

LEFT HAND 400 lb. Monkey: A golden English-style IPA with a malty backbone and subtle hop finish. Slightly hefty for the style at 6.7% abv.

LEFT HAND Milk Stout: A dark, sweet stout with hints of roasted coffee, vanilla and caramel.

LEFT HAND Chainsaw Double Sawtooth: This American Strong Ale, as double ESB, has a big hop presence with hints of fruit on the nose and a sweet toffee finish. Clocks in at 9.0% abv.

LEFT HAND Widdernshins Barleywine: Orange-amber in color, this deceptively smooth (and strong) barleywine has notes of dark fruit and apricots that finishes with bitter hops. Big American-style barleywine at 10.0% abv.

LEFT HAND !Vintage! 2007 Rye Bock Lager: This vintage ’07 Doppelbock holds its own! Both sweet and dry from the mix of sweet and rye malts, this medium-bodied beer has a smooth finish with more malt than hops. 7.6% abv